CLIVE WOODWARD tonight dismissed the latest round of Pommie-bashing as momentum gathered towards Saturday's World Cup final showdown against Australia.

CLIVE WOODWARD tonight dismissed the latest round of Pommie-bashing as momentum gathered towards Saturday's World Cup final showdown against Australia.

Some sections of the Australian media have adopted an hysterical stance, spending every waking hour, it seems, firing barbs at England.

Woodward and his players continue to take it all in their stride, knowing that the ultimate statement will be made on Saturday if they are crowned world champions.

"It's all harmless stuff - I've been asked about this for six weeks," said Woodward.

"If you can't see the amusing side of it, you shouldn't be here in the first place, especially doing this job.

"It's harmless, and it's good fun, and no more than that. It's up to the English to give it back as well, and I am sure the Aussies will take it in the same way as we take it."

Injured Wallabies number eight Toutau Kefu, no stranger to blasting England during the tournament, was in fiery form again today, although he also praised the Six Nations champions as being a very good side.

Using his column in Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper as the vehicle for a verbal flurry, Kefu said: "They (England) can be arrogant. There is this cockiness about some of them that rubs us up the wrong way.

"Strangely, coach Clive Woodward seems to be toning it all down after the decision to send out (Dan) Luger against the wishes of a touchline official.

"He seems to be, believe it or not, trying to bring a sense of humility to the England team. They're talking themselves down, and Woodward has steered clear of any pot-shots to date at Eddie Jones. Maybe it's part of his plan.

"But the Poms have not gone soft. You can bet on that. Especially their skipper Martin Johnson, one of the grumpiest losers I have ever come across, judging by his reaction to the Lions' series loss a couple of years back.

"Johnson can be a bit unbearable on the field. There is a very fine line between aggression and dirty play, and he pushes it right to the limits.

"Samoa and Wales showed that England can be vulnerable to teams attacking them wide, because it makes Dad's Army (the England pack) move from side to side.

"They are an ageing pack, and that has to be a factor. Their forwards love nothing better than keeping it tight so they don't have to cover too many kilometres.

"There were times against Samoa when a couple of them were looking a bit red-faced. Showing their age, you might say."

The Telegraph's tactics were not just confined to the sports pages either.

A picture displayed on page five, showed a "Danger - Strong Current" sign on Manly beach, near to England's team hotel. Next to it, was another sign -"Danger - Boring Rugby Team Trains Here."

But for a parting shot, Telegraph columnist Mike Gibson took today's award, stating: "When it comes to sport, England have historically excelled at two things - boring the fans, and losing.